Choosing Cookware Materials

How to Season Cast Iron Cookware

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:22:40 +0100

Cooks need to season standard cast iron cookware to properly maintain its nearly nonstick cooking surface. Today, cast iron cookware comes in 2 varieties, standard black cast iron and enameled cast iron. The enameled cookware does not need to be seasoned. In this article, I'll discuss the steps to season standard black cast iron cookware. Why Standard Cast Iron Cookware Needs to be Seasoned Cast Iron, when properly maintained, can provide a nearly nonstick surface. As it is used, the oils ...

Is Anodized Aluminum Cookware Safe

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:46:03 +0100

Aluminum cookware is popular. It is lightweight, a great heat conductor, and generally inexpensive. Since normal aluminum is reactive with food and known to be toxic, anodized aluminum with its electro-chemical treatment, has become the standard for aluminum cookware. Because it is still aluminum, questions remain about its safety. In this article, I expand on a previous article where I first addressed the safety issue of anodized aluminum cookware. Aluminum in our Environment Aluminum is the ...

The Familiar Glass Bakeware Set

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:41:08 +0100

It is estimated that 75% of all households own at least one piece of Pyrex glass bakeware. The glass bakeware set is indeed a familiar and used item in kitchens. Whether for baking desserts, transporting foods to a pot luck, or roasting everyone's favorite chicken, the glass bakeware set has become an essential item in the kitchen. A Long And Successful History For Glass BakewareIt was July of 1913. The wife of a Corning scientist, Bessie Littleton, encouraged her husband to adapt the new fr ...

What Happened To Corning Glass Cookware?

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:42:33 +0100

Let's take a stroll down memory lane. Think back to a time when you would watch your mother cook. Picture her as she would whip up some potatoes, create a casserole, fry some chicken, or string green beans. Try to remember what she would use to cook with, and bring out to the table. Chances are, you will see some white cookware with a blue cornflower emblem on the side. That was corning glass cookware. She would bake with it, and since it was presentation quality, she would bring it out to the t ...

Choosy Chefs Choose Copper Pots and Pans

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:31:08 +0100

Like the memorable name brand peanut butter commercial, when it comes to cookware, choosy chefs choose copper pots and pans. For precise heat distribution, nothing beats copper as a cookware material. Not all copper cookware is the sameLike with most cookware, when you purchase quality, it can last for generations. When buying lesser quality pieces, the results can be a waste of money. Copper cookware, at a minimum, needs to cover the bottom. Higher quality pieces will have the copper extended a ...

Luxurious Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:07:05 +0100

A picture is worth a thousand words. When you see a picture of luxurious enameled cast iron cookware, you will know what I mean. With all the heat distribution and retention benefits of cast iron, enameled cast iron cookware makes cookware look beautiful. Enameled Cast IronWhether Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge, or any other enameled cast iron cookware manufacturer, the enameled colors add a luxurious finish to the standard black cast iron. With various shades or red, green, blue, and brown, the color ...

The Growing Cast Iron Cookware Set

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:54:19 +0100

Cooks who like the healthy and naturally non stick surface of cast iron will be pleased to know about a cookware industry trend. The trend concerns the growing cast iron cookware set. What was once just a frying pan and Dutch oven, is now growing to include casserole dishes, sauce pans, saute pans, and other essential pieces of cookware. Enameled cast iron cookware is leading the trend with its luxurious colors and added food storage capabilities. The Popularity of Cast Iron CookwareCast iron co ...

The All Purpose Nonstick Cookware Set

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:22:43 +0100

With its ease of use and cleanup, the nonstick cookware set has gained a lot of popularity. Health matters aside, nonstick cookware is a consideration for many cooks who want food to slide off the cookware and cleanup to be as quick as possible. What is the actual cookware material?The quality of cookware is not determined as much by the external coating, as it is by the cookware material itself. Too many shoppers looking for ease of use will get a nonstick surface without any regard for the mor ...

Advantages of the Anodized Cookware Set

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 18:36:41 +0100

Durability and ease of use are just a couple advantages of the anodized cookware set. Affordable, twice as hard as stainless steel, and attractive with its dark color, it is no surprise anodized cookware has found its way into many homes. The "Busy Cook" will like an anodized aluminum cookware set. It's a set that can endure daily cooking, be tossed around, and some can even handle the dishwasher. What Do You Get In An Anodized Cookware Set:As with most cookware sets, it is importa ...

A Powerful Blend - Stainless Nonstick

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:10:33 +0100

For those looking for the sleek, attractive appearance of stainless steel and the ease of use of a nonstick surface, there is a powerful blend - stainless nonstick. Manufacturers today have uncovered the secret to bonding a nonstick coating to stainless steel. The end result is quality cookware that is easy on the cook. Stainless NonstickQuality stainless steel, 18/10 construction, clad with aluminum or copper on the inside, has been a favorite of chefs for a long time. Households on the "g ...

The Hard Anodized Cookware Set

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 18:37:34 +0100

The popularity of the hard anodized cookware set is astounding. A wide variety of cooks are finding its lightweight, durable, low stick, and attractive appearance too hard to resist. Also one of the most affordable cookware materials available, it is priced within most budgets. What exactly is hard anodized?An abundant and inexpensive material, aluminum in its natural state is soft and reactive with acidic foods. The anodizing process takes natural aluminum and treats its surface electrochemical ...

Choosing a Stainless Steel Frying Pan

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 22:00:00 +0100

The frying pan is often the workhorse in every kitchen. A quality stainless steel frying pan offers an attractive appearance, great heat distribution, and easy cleanup. Frying Pan BasicsFrying pans are typically sized 7" to 14", and have sloped sides. The sloped sides make it easy for turning, flipping, and releasing foods. A similar sized pan but with straight sides is a sauté pan. The frying pan is great for frying eggs, searing, or browning with oils, butter, or liquids. A st ...

Choosing Stainless Steel Cookware Sets

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 20:15:40 +0100

Stainless steel cookware sets offer durability, versatility, and style. Like cookware sets made of other materials, they usually include 6 to 14 pieces, lids included.Whether buying an individual piece or a complete cookware set, be sure to look for quality. Higher quality stainless steel will always be "18/10" and clad with either aluminum or copper. When buying a stainless steel cookware set, the shapes and sizes of cookware pieces becomes relevant. Here are some tips:Frying PansCook ...